Mold stack for a preform

Abstract

There is provided a stripper assembly ( 212 ) for use in a mold stack ( 202 ) for forming a preform ( 210 ) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped container. The stripper assembly ( 212 ) comprises a stripper plate ( 214 ) connectable, in use, to a stripper plate actuator; neck rings ( 220 ) configured to cooperate to define a portion a neck region ( 226 ) of the preform ( 210 ); a stripper ring ( 230 ) configured to define at least a portion of a top sealing surface of the neck region ( 226 ) of the preform ( 210 ); the stripper plate ( 214 ) being configured to actuate the neck rings ( 220 ) and the stripper ring ( 230 ), in unison, along substantially the whole length of a complete ejection path, which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mold stack ( 202 ); and wherein the neck rings ( 220 ) are configured for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mold stack, over at a portion of the complete ejection path, the stripper ring ( 230 ) having an air channel ( 236 ) configured to directed a flow of fluid towards the preform.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A stripper assembly ( 212 ) for use in a mold stack ( 202 ) for forming a preform ( 210 ) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped container, the stripper assembly ( 212 ) comprising:
 a stripper plate ( 214 ) connectable, in use, to a stripper plate actuator; 
 neck rings ( 220 ) configured to cooperate to define a portion a neck region ( 226 ) of the preform ( 210 ); 
 a stripper ring ( 230 ) configured to define at least a portion of a top sealing surface of the neck region ( 226 ) of the preform ( 210 ); 
 the stripper plate ( 214 ) being configured to actuate the neck rings ( 220 ) and the stripper ring ( 230 ), in unison, along substantially the whole length of a complete ejection path, which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mold stack ( 202 ); and wherein 
 the neck rings ( 220 ) are configured for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mold stack, over at a portion of the complete ejection path, 
 the stripper ring ( 230 ) having an air channel ( 236 ) configured to direct a flow of fluid towards the preform. 
 
     
     
       2. The stripper assembly ( 212 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the stripper ring ( 230 ) is coupled to the stripper plate ( 214 ) in a floatable arrangement. 
     
     
       3. The stripper assembly ( 212 ) of  claim 2 , wherein
 the stripper assembly ( 212 ) includes a neck ring slide ( 218 ) and the neck rings ( 220 ) are coupled to the neck ring slide ( 218 ); and wherein the stripper assembly ( 212 ) further comprises 
 a wear plate ( 216 ) disposed between the stripper plate ( 214 ) and the neck ring slide ( 218 ); and wherein, in use 
 the stripper plate ( 214 ) and the wear plate ( 216 ) define a pocket ( 232 ); and wherein the stripper ring ( 230 ) comprises an annular step ( 234 ) complementary in shape to the pocket ( 232 ); and wherein, in use 
 the stripper plate ( 214 ) and the wear plate ( 216 ) trap the annular step ( 234 ) within the pocket ( 232 ). 
 
     
     
       4. The stripper assembly ( 212 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the stripper plate ( 214 ) is coupled, in use, to the stripper plate actuator which is configured to actuate the stripper plate ( 214 ) along the longitudinal axis of the mold stack ( 202 ). 
     
     
       5. The stripper assembly ( 212 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the stripper assembly ( 212 ) includes a neck ring slide ( 218 ) and the neck rings ( 220 ) are coupled to the neck ring slide ( 218 ); and wherein the neck ring slide ( 218 ) is coupled, in use, to a neck ring slide actuator and wherein the neck ring slide actuator is configured to actuate the neck ring slide ( 218 ) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mold stack ( 202 ). 
     
     
       6. The stripper assembly ( 212 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the stripper assembly ( 212 ) further comprises a wear plate ( 216 ) disposed between the stripper plate ( 214 ) and a neck ring slide ( 218 ); and wherein the wear plate ( 216 ) defines an air supply channel ( 240 ) and wherein the air channel ( 236 ) is in fluid communication with the air supply channel ( 240 ). 
     
     
       7. The stripper assembly ( 212 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the stripper plate ( 214 ) defines an air supply channel ( 340 ) and wherein the air channel ( 336 ) is in fluid communication with the air supply channel ( 240 ). 
     
     
       8. The stripper assembly ( 212 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the so-directed flow of fluid is configured to perform at least one function of: (i) assisting in stripping of the preform ( 210 ) off a core insert ( 206 ); (ii) preventing vacuum build up or friction between the preform ( 210 ) and the core insert ( 206 ); (iii) assisting in the transfer of the preform ( 210 ) from the core insert ( 206 ) into a downstream handling device. 
     
     
       9. A stripper ring ( 230 ) configured to be installed, in use, as a part of a stripper assembly ( 212 ) for use in a mold stack ( 202 ) for forming a preform ( 210 ) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped container, the stripper assembly including a stripper plate ( 214 ) connectable, in use, to a stripper plate actuator; neck rings ( 220 ) configured to cooperate to define a portion a neck region ( 226 ) of the preform ( 210 ); a stripper ring ( 230 ) configured to define at least a portion of a top sealing surface of the neck region ( 226 ) of the preform ( 210 ); the stripper plate ( 214 ) being configured to actuate the neck rings ( 220 ) and the stripper ring ( 230 ), in unison, along substantially the whole length of a complete ejection path, which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mold stack ( 202 ); and wherein the neck rings ( 220 ) are configured for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mold stack, over at a portion of the complete ejection path, the stripper ring ( 230 ) comprising:
 an air channel ( 336 ) configured to direct a flow of fluid towards the preform. 
 
     
     
       10. The stripper ring ( 230 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the stripper ring ( 230 ) is coupled to the stripper plate ( 214 ) in a floatable arrangement. 
     
     
       11. The stripper ring ( 230 ) of  claim 10 , wherein
 the stripper assembly ( 212 ) includes a neck ring slide ( 218 ) and the neck rings ( 220 ) are coupled to the neck ring slide ( 218 ); and wherein the stripper assembly ( 212 ) further comprises 
 a wear plate ( 216 ) disposed between the stripper plate ( 214 ) and the neck ring slide ( 218 ); and wherein, in use 
 the stripper plate ( 214 ) and the wear plate ( 216 ) define a pocket ( 232 ); and wherein the stripper ring ( 230 ) comprises an annular step ( 234 ) complementary in shape to the pocket ( 232 ); and wherein, in use 
 the stripper plate ( 214 ) and the wear plate ( 216 ) trap the annular step ( 234 ) within the pocket ( 232 ). 
 
     
     
       12. The stripper ring ( 230 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the stripper plate ( 214 ) is coupled, in use, to the stripper plate actuator which is configured to actuate the stripper plate ( 214 ) along the longitudinal axis of the mold stack ( 202 ). 
     
     
       13. The stripper ring ( 230 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the stripper assembly ( 212 ) includes a neck ring slide ( 218 ) and the neck rings ( 220 ) are coupled to a neck ring slide ( 218 ); and wherein the neck ring slide ( 218 ) is coupled, in use, to a neck ring slide actuator and wherein the neck ring slide actuator is configured to actuate the neck ring slide ( 218 ) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mold stack ( 202 ). 
     
     
       14. The stripper ring ( 230 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the stripper assembly ( 212 ) further comprises a wear plate ( 216 ) disposed between the stripper plate ( 214 ) and the neck ring slide ( 218 ); and wherein the wear plate ( 216 ) defines an air supply channel ( 240 ) and wherein the air channel ( 236 ) is in fluid communication with the air supply channel ( 240 ). 
     
     
       15. The stripper ring ( 230 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the stripper plate ( 214 ) defines an air supply channel ( 340 ) and wherein the air channel ( 336 ) is in fluid communication with the air supply channel ( 240 ). 
     
     
       16. The stripper ring ( 230 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the flow of fluid is configured to perform at least one function of: (i) assisting in stripping of the preform ( 210 ) off a core insert ( 206 ); (ii) preventing vacuum build up or friction between the preform ( 210 ) and the core insert ( 206 ); (iii) assisting in the transfer of the preform ( 210 ) from the core insert ( 206 ) into a downstream handling device.